Trinities to open early

Because of the low snow pack and early snowmelt, recreation facilities in the high-elevation Trinity Lakes Recreation Area will open July 2, about two weeks earlier than normal, the U.S. Forest Service said.

All campgrounds, roads and trails will open, but the Trinity Mountain Cabin, which is available through reservations, will not open until July 15 due to repair work.

“Although weather conditions provided the opportunity to open the area early, the ability to keep the area open later in the season could be a factor,” said Jake Strohmeyer, acting Mountain Home District ranger. “With a set operating schedule and budgets, late season facility cleaning, host services and water systems could be affected.”

Services at the campgrounds normally are cutoff in mid-October, but remain open to camping through Nov. 10.

The area was partially affected by last year’s 146,000-acre Trinity Ridge Fire and visitors will need to use caution in the recently burned areas. Hazards can include snag trees falling, rocks rolling off steep banks or high water flows in streams.

Strohmeyer said Little Roaring Campground is the most heavily damaged by fire, but substantial work is being done to remove hazard trees. The area directly adjacent to Big Trinity Lake was only slightly affected. Throughout the area, visitors can expect to see a mosaic of burn intensities, but overall the views remain enjoyable.